A Slacker's Guide to Redeye Bass Identification

[Bruiser]

As you already know, redeyes can sometimes be difficult to identify. In fact, redeyes are probably one of the most difficult black bass species to identify. Why are they so difficult to identify? The main reason is that redeyes are sometimes mistaken for other black bass such as spotted, smallmouth, largemouth and shoal, depending on the river. So how can redeyes be mistaken for so many different black bass species, each with distinct differences?*There is an easy answer to this question, redeyes are unique and its markings can vary greatly.

[BasserDrew]

Just wanted to bump this back up because it was a good article Bruiser and a big help to folks who have never learned the finer details of the fish. 

[flyflingerandy1]

I love looking at native bass from other regions. Here in Kansas, we only have largemouth and spotted bass as our native species. Smallmouth have been stocked, and thrive in a few streams.

Now, the real reason I chose this thread as my first post. I am going out to North Carolina early this fall and would like to chase some redeye or smallmouth on some creeks. I was wondering what the range of the redeye bass is, and how one may go about catching them on UL or L spin tackle. Thanks a million!

[fishtaco]

Curious myself on the range of the redeye, I looked up their info on the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species site. It looks like they're not native to North Carolina, but they are introduced. Depending on where you go in the state you may be able to catch a few, but if I was you I'd go after some North Carolina smallies.

http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries.....ciesID=395

[flyflingerandy1]

Hey fishtaco, nice to see a familiar name. I am Andy Webb on warmfly, but am getting out of fly fishing. The other night made up my mind. I was spin fishing for an hour with my 2 year old son and we caught 30+ fish, and they were mostly bass. I have never had that kind of success on the fly.

NC smallies are definitely on the menu. I am excited to get out there and catch some nice sized river bass.

[fishtaco]

Andy, good to see you over here. Fishing is fishing man, do whatever you got to do to catch fish and/or have fun. You'll definitely put yourself in the strike zone of more big fish with conventional tackle. I'm no purist myself, but I wouldn't give up fly fishing cold turkey. Topwater strikes on a fly rod are too much fun.